While walking in the fields adjacent to the building site on the downs, Rocky decided to give full voice for his “daddy”…… “AaahWoooo” he said in his loudest, clearest voice ……. Seconds later from the direction of the new houses Rocky heard “AaahWoooo”!!
“What was that” thought Rocky, hiding behind his “daddy”! “Is that another Otterhound living around here”?
So in order to make sure he went ….. “AaahWoooo” again ………… and sure enough there was an answering call exactly the same.
By this time Rocky was getting rather spooked!! So to try to calm him down “daddy” persuaded him to do it again ………. “AaahWoooo” ………….. There was another answering call!! Rocky was beside himself and didn’t know which way to turn!!
“Is there really another Otterhound living in our little town”????
No!! It was, of course, Rocky’s own voice bouncing off the new housing estate and causing an echo!! So now it is now official - our big brave dog is afraid of his own voice!!
Anyway, on with the account of what Rocky did this week ……….
Rocky was lounging around when “dad” had to call him to go to his regular training club.
Rocky likes his training club; he gets to meet all his friends.
So, first things first, Rocky went round to say hello to all his mates.
He got lots of fussing from everyone (he likes that bit a lot)!
“Daddy” got to tell him what a good boy he was too! Happy Rocky!!
Then it was - everyone take your places, let’s start working.
Walking around close to “daddy” without being side tracked by other people or animals is a skill worth learning.
Rocky has become pretty good at concentrating on what “daddy” wants him to do.
He has become expert at lying still while “daddy” walks around him.
So he is rewarded with lots of fuss – Good boy Rocky!
Two times Rocky had to wait at one end of the room until “daddy” called him and then run to his dad. He mustn’t get distracted by any of the other people or dogs.
Did he manage to do it?
You bet he did …. Clever boy Rocky!
In reward he got to play jumping with his dad, which he enjoyed very much.
Next, all of the doggy friends had to stay in a group while their “mums and dads” walked around them.
They all got lots of fusses for doing well in that exercise.
Then they had to do it one more time …….. Clever dogs did really well.
Well done to Rocky and all his friends, they are learning lots of things and enjoying themselves at the same time!!
Rocky was a little tired after all that concentration and hard work. He didn’t even get onto his own sofa …….. Had to go for the cushions didn’t he!!
Rocky and Mij seem to be getting a stronger and stronger bond, which is really nice.
Rocky, being a hound and an Otterhound at that, likes to spend some of his time moaning and grumbling to himself in a funny hound like voice!
Mij seems to be a bit confused by it all though!
“What iz wrong wiz de dog ting” “Should Iz zee if it iz OK”??
So Mij hopped down and started to bat him gently on the nose. Just to make sure he was OK you understand!
Aren’t animal’s fun!!
Rocky went for another walk along the butterfly conservation path this week.
He explored in the bushes.
He checked to see what scents had been laid down since he was last there.
He chased the ball.
………. And caught it.
He chased the ball again ……..
………. And caught it again ………..
………. Then it was time to issue a challenge ………… “Bet you don’t pick it up before I run off with it”!!!
……….. I didn’t …………
………. Then Rocky weighed up what would be more fun ………. Make “mum” chase me or investigate those lovely smells tickling my scenting bones????
No contest really ………. He is a scent hound after all!!
So Rocky tracked this interesting new scent ………
Took him all over the top of the hill ……….
I had to call Rocky to go home then, which was a shame but time was getting on.
Like a good Otterhound, Rocky came home. But he knew he would go there again another time!
In a nice post walk snooze, Rocky was joined by his sidekick Mij …… Aaah!
Rocky also had a visit from some of his favourite people this week ………. Happy Otterhound!!
But, his visitors decided to practice extreme hairdo makeovers ………… Not a happy Otterhound!!
Finally, Rocky’s expedition this week saw him travelling the country lanes around our home.
He had a lovely sniff round and was perfectly safe from traffic ……. Just how he likes it!
He did, however, fancy a rest for a bit ……….. So rest for a bit we had to!!
Then Rocky decided to investigate the fields around the lane …….. “Oooh, what’s in here then”?
“There’s a faint smell of something I almost recognise …. What is it now”?
“ I know it but I just can’t seem to remember what it’s called”!
“What’s that mum”? ……….. “Sheep”! ………… “That’s it I remember now – funny woolly things”!!!
With that he lost interest, so he decided to explore the verges either side of the lane.
“Yippee! A hole!! Must be bunnies ………. Hello bunnies, it’s me again”!!!!!
The bunnies didn’t come out to play so Rocky looked for a nice field that he could explore.
We found him a nice field.
And Rocky took a gentle trot around it??!!!
What did our hero look like when we got home?
That’s right – doggy Velcro again!!
Another grooming needed!
After so much fun and exploring what did Rocky do after his brushing?
Of course ……….
Night night Rocky, sleep well!!
